A door to door inquiry was launched yesterday and CCTV footage is being examined by police after the armed raid on the Candy Cave shop in Chapel Street, Shipdham, near Dereham.

A normally quiet Norfolk village has been left reeling after the owner of a small shop had a knife held to her throat by a man demanding cash.

A door to door inquiry was launched yesterday and CCTV footage is being examined by police after the armed raid on the Candy Cave shop in Chapel Street, Shipdham, near Dereham.

One man is being sought for the crime, described as vicious, which saw a large amount of cash taken from the shop.

The attack happened a year to the day of a burglary which saw thieves steal £1,500 worth of scratch cards after smashing in the front door of the shop.

Co-owner of the shop, Geoff Madden, said his wife, Juliet, was shocked and upset by the ordeal, which he described as vicious.

“Most people in the village are appalled,” he said. “People are personally affronted by it because this is the village shop, not just ours.

“It is a quiet little place, nothing much tends to happen here and that's how I like it. For something like this to happen is quite major.”

The robbery happened at 5.30pm on Saturday when owner Juliet Madden was alone in her shop.

A young man wearing a mask and wielding a knife entered the shop and threatened Mrs Madden with the knife, holding it to her throat.

She was forced to give him cash and he made off.

DC Mark Barron, of Thetford CID, said: “A search of the area was carried out directly after the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

“This appears to be an isolated incident. I am sure there are people in that community that might know the youth's identity.”

Door to door inquiries were carried out during Sunday and CCTV footage is being examined.

Sgt Terry Scott of Dereham Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “This is a serious offence which seems out of character in such a quiet location. We are working together with CID in establishing who the offender is so he can be brought to justice.”